Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the Tokyo Olympics was held at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Tokyo Governor KOIKE Yuriko and Japan Olympic Committee President HASHIMOTO Seiko were among the guests on hand to thank the staff and the athletes for their dedication and ensuring that the Olympic and Paralympic Games took place successfully.

A minute’s silence was observed to pay tribute to former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo who was assassinated at the start of July. A video clip recounting his contribution to the Olympics was shown on two giant screens at both ends of the stadium.

In a video message, André Parson of the International Paralympic Committee saluted the memory of ABE along with Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee.

Former Prime Minister Abe had been an active promoter of the Olympics when many citizens questioned whether it was necessary to conduct the Games at a time of economic austerity and during a pandemic. Some citizens protested against the Olympics. The Games were postponed for a year until vaccines and safety measures could be planned.

A relay with Japanese Olympic and Paralympic champions was held to symbolize the handover to the Paris Olympic Games, which will take place in 2024.